pied-a-terre.  For the firm of Taynton and Mills was one of those respectable and solid businesses that, beginning in the country, had eventually been extended to town, and so far from its having its headquarters in town and its branch in Brighton, had its headquarters here and its branch in the metropolis.  Mr. Godfrey Mills, so he learned at the door had dined alone, and was in, and without further delay Mr. Taynton was carried aloft in the gaudy bird-cage of the lift, feeling sure that his partner would see him.

The flat into which he was ushered with a smile of welcome from the man who opened the door was furnished with a sort of gross opulence that never failed to jar on Mr. Taynton’s exquisite taste and cultivated mind.  Pictures, chairs, sofas, the patterns of the carpet, and the heavy gilding of the cornices were all sensuous, a sort of frangipanni to the eye.  The apparent contrast, however, between these things and their owner, was as great as that between Mr. Taynton and his partner, for Mr. Godfrey Mills was a thin, spare, dark little man, brisk in movement, with a look in his eye that betokened a watchfulness and vigilance of the most alert order.  But useful as such a gift undoubtedly is, it was given to Mr. Godfrey Mills perhaps a shade too obviously.  It would be unlikely that the stupidest or shallowest person would give himself away when talking to him, for it was so clear that he was always on the watch for admission or information that might be useful to him.  He had, however, the charm that a very active and vivid mind always possesses, and though small and slight, he was a figure that would be noticed anywhere, so keen and wide-awake was his face.  Beside him Mr. Taynton looked like a benevolent country clergyman, more distinguished for amiable qualities of the heart, than intellectual qualities of the head.  Yet those—­there were not many of them—­who in dealings with the latter had tried to conduct their business on these assumptions, had invariably found it necessary to reconsider their first impression of him.  His partner, however, was always conscious of a little impatience in talking to him; Taynton, he would have allowed, did not lack fine business qualities, but he was a little wanting in quickness.

Mills’s welcome of him was abrupt.

“Pleased to see you,” he said.  “Cigar, drink?  Sit down, won’t you?  What is it?”

“I dropped in for a chat on my way home,” said Mr. Taynton.  “I have been dining with Mrs. Assheton.  A most pleasant evening.  What a fine delicate face she has.”

Mills bit off the end of a cigar.

“I take it that you did not come in merely to discuss the delicacy of Mrs. Assheton’s face,” he said.

“No, no, dear fellow; you are right to recall me.  I too take it—­I take it that you have found time to go over to Falmer yesterday.  How did you find Sir Richard?”

“I found him well.  I had a long talk with him.”